A single nucleotide substitution in TaHKT1;5-D controls shoot Na+ accumulation in bread wheat

Improving salinity tolerance in the most widely cultivated cereal, bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), is essential to increase grain yields on saline agricultural lands. A Portuguese landrace, Mocho de Espiga Branca accumulates up to sixfold greater leaf and sheath sodium (Na⁺) than two Australian cultivars, Gladius and Scout, under salt stress in hydroponics. Despite high leaf and sheath Na⁺ concentrations, Mocho de Espiga Branca maintained similar salinity tolerance compared to Gladius and Scout. A naturally occurring single nucleotide substitution was identified in the gene encoding a major Na⁺ transporter TaHKT1;5-D in Mocho de Espiga Branca, which resulted in a L190P amino acid residue variation. This variant prevents Mocho de Espiga Branca from retrieving Na⁺ from the root xylem leading to a high shoot Na⁺ concentration. The identification of the tissue-tolerant Mocho de Espiga Branca will accelerate the development of more elite salt-tolerant bread wheat cultivars.     

Mediator subunit MED1 modulates intranuclear dynamics of the thyroid hormone receptor

The thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) mediate thyroid hormone (T₃)-dependent gene expression. The nuclear import and export signals that direct TR shuttling are well characterized, but little is known about factors modulating nuclear retention. We used fluorescence-based nucleocytoplasmic scoring and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching in transfected cells to investigate whether Mediator subunits MED1 and MED13 play a role in nuclear retention of TR. When MED1 was overexpressed, there was a striking shift towards a greater nuclear localization of TRβ1 and the oncoprotein v-ErbA, subtypes with cytosolic populations at steady-state, and TRβ1 intranuclear mobility was reduced. For TRα1, there was no observable change in its predominantly nuclear distribution pattern or mobility. Consistent with a role for MED1 in nuclear retention, the cytosolic TRα1 and TRβ1 population were significantly greater in MED1^−/− cells, compared with MED1^+/+ cells. Exposure to T₃ and epidermal growth factor, which induces MED1 phosphorylation, also altered TR intranuclear dynamics. Overexpression of miR-208a, which downregulates MED13, led to a more cytosolic distribution of nuclear-localized TRα1; however, overexpression of MED13 had no effect on TRβ1 localization. The known binding site of MED1 overlaps with a transactivation domain and nuclear export signal in helix 12 of TR's ligand-binding domain (LBD). Coimmunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that TR's LBD interacts directly with exportins 5 and 7, suggesting that binding of exportins and MED1 to TR may be mutually exclusive. Collectively, our data provide evidence that MED1 promotes nuclear retention of TR, and highlight the dual functionality of helix 12 in TR transactivation and nuclear export.     

A kinetic dissection of the fast and superprocessive kinesin-3 KIF1A reveals a predominant one-head-bound state during its chemomechanical cycle

The kinesin-3 family contains the fastest and most processive motors of the three neuronal transport kinesin families, yet the sequence of states and rates of kinetic transitions that comprise the chemomechanical cycle and give rise to their unique properties are poorly understood. We used stopped-flow fluorescence spectroscopy and single-molecule motility assays to delineate the chemomechanical cycle of the kinesin-3, KIF1A. Our bacterially expressed KIF1A construct, dimerized via a kinesin-1 coiled-coil, exhibits fast velocity and superprocessivity behavior similar to WT KIF1A. We established that the KIF1A forward step is triggered by hydrolysis of ATP and not by ATP binding, meaning that KIF1A follows the same chemomechanical cycle as established for kinesin-1 and -2. The ATP-triggered half-site release rate of KIF1A was similar to the stepping rate, indicating that during stepping, rear-head detachment is an order of magnitude faster than in kinesin-1 and kinesin-2. Thus, KIF1A spends the majority of its hydrolysis cycle in a one-head-bound state. Both the ADP off-rate and the ATP on-rate at physiological ATP concentration were fast, eliminating these steps as possible rate-limiting transitions. Based on the measured run length and the relatively slow off-rate in ADP, we conclude that attachment of the tethered head is the rate-limiting transition in the KIF1A stepping cycle. Thus, KIF1A''s activity can be explained by a fast rear-head detachment rate, a rate-limiting step of tethered-head attachment that follows ATP hydrolysis, and a relatively strong electrostatic interaction with the microtubule in the weakly bound post-hydrolysis state.     

Speciation rates are correlated with changes in plumage color complexity in the largest family of songbirds

Although evolutionary theory predicts an association between the evolution of elaborate ornamentation and speciation, empirical evidence for links between speciation and ornament evolution has been mixed. In birds, the evolution of increasingly complex and colorful plumage may promote speciation by introducing prezygotic mating barriers. However, overall changes in color complexity, including both increases and decreases, may also promote speciation by altering the sexual signals that mediate reproductive choices. Here, we examine the relationship between complex plumage and speciation rates in the largest family of songbirds, the tanagers (Thraupidae). First, we test whether species with more complex plumage coloration are associated with higher speciation rates and find no correlation. We then test whether rates of male or female plumage color complexity evolution are correlated with speciation rates. We find that elevated rates of plumage complexity evolution are associated with higher speciation rates, regardless of sex and whether species are evolving more complex or less complex ornamentation. These results extend to whole-plumage color complexity and regions important in signaling (crown and throat) but not nonsignaling regions (back and wingtip). Our results suggest that the extent of change in plumage traits, rather than overall values of plumage complexity, may play a role in speciation.     

Oochoristica novaezealandae n. sp. (Cestoda: Anoplocephalidae) from a New Zealand skink,Leiolopisma nigriplantare maccanni Hardy, 1977

Abstract

Oochoristica novaezealandae n. sp. is described from the small intestine of a skink, Leiolopisma nigriplantare maccanni (Hardy 1977) from Birdling's Flat, Banks Peninsula, South Island, New Zealand. In having fewer than 20 testes it differs from all other species in the genus except O. chinensis Jensen, Schmidt & Kuntz, 1983; O. vacuolata Hickman, 1954; O. lygosomae Burt, 1933; and O. lygosomatis Skinker, 1935. Of these, it most resembles O. chinensis, but differs from it in the ovary, which consists of 2 rounded lobes; they are subdivided into finger-like lobules in O. chinensis. Further, O. novaezealandae has a conspicuous, encapsulated, sac-like mass of glands surrounding the genital atrium; these are not present in O. chinensis.     

Future Scenarios as a Research Tool: Investigating Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation Options and Outcomes for the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Climate change is a significant future driver of change in coastal social-ecological systems. Our knowledge of impacts, adaptation options, and possible outcomes for marine environments and coastal industries is expanding, but remains limited and uncertain. Alternative scenarios are a way to explore potential futures under a range of conditions. We developed four alternative future scenarios for the Great Barrier Reef and its fishing and tourism industries positing moderate and more extreme (2–3 °C above pre-industrial temperatures) warming for 2050 and contrasting ‘limited’ and ‘ideal’ ecological and social adaptation. We presented these scenarios to representatives of key stakeholder groups to assess the perceived viability of different social adaptation options to deliver desirable outcomes under varied contexts.     

Interannual variation of reach specific migratory success for Sacramento River hatchery yearling late-fall run Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The release of hatchery reared salmonid smolts is a common management tool aimed at enhancing depleted wild stocks and maintaining fisheries throughout Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. In the Sacramento River watershed, smolts must migrate through the river, delta and estuary in order to successfully reach the Pacific Ocean. Migration success (success defined as apparent survival from one monitor location to another) may vary between species, year and habitat. We released 500 late-fall run Chinook salmon and 500 steelhead smolts in 2009 and 2010 in the Sacramento River (river kilometer 207). Each smolt was implanted with a coded ultrasonic tag, which was detected by an array of over 300 underwater receiver stations deployed throughout the system. Less than 25 % of fish migrated successfully to the Pacific Ocean in both years. We found that reach specific success was greater in the Delta in 2009 (>60 %) than in 2010 (<33 %), whereas this pattern was reversed in the Bay (<57 % in 2009, >75 % in 2010). Identifying the location, timing and causes of smolt mortality can lead to improved management of the resource.     

The Biofilm Matrix

The extracellular matrix is a complex and extremely important component of all biofilms, providing architectural structure and mechanical stability to the attached population. The matrix is composed of cells, water and secreted/released extracellular macromolecules. In addition, a range of enzymic and regulatory activities can be found within the matrix. Together, these different components and activities are likely to interact and in so doing create a series of local environments within the matrix which co-exist as a functional consortium. The matrix architecture is also subject to a number of extrinsic factors, including fluctuations in nutrient and gaseous levels and fluid shear. Together, these intrinsic and extrinsic factors combine to produce a dynamic, heterogeneous microenvironment for the attached and enveloped cells.